Water damage, boots, runs, battery won't charge

The backstory: My machine had missing foot pads. Some water spilled on the table, and the water wicked up through the open footpad holes, carrying some food with it. (Please con't judge my housekeeping...)

Once I discovered the problem I quickly took action to dry the machine out. I also opened the case and cleaned some gunk off the motherboard with electronic circuit cleaner.

After a day to fully dry out, the machine booted and ran just fine ... but now it won't charge. The green light on the power cable doesn't come on, and the battery doesn't gain any charge. The power cord was connected and the battery was draining while it ran, so I'm pretty sure the logic board wasn't getting external power either. I have tried my power cable on a friend's macbook pro, and tried their cable on mine, and the problem is definitely inside my case.

The water was in the end where all the external connectors were, including the dc-in port. Is it reasonable to guess the DC-in board was damaged? Is there a way to test this idea without just getting a new DC-in board and trying it?

1 Answer

First thing I would do is inspect the circuit for signs of component damage.

Bear in mind that we're working with very small components and often multi-layer circuit boards on this kind of device, so the damage may not be as obvious as you might think such as a whopping great black scorch mark across half the board.

Start with a quick visual scan of all the larger components looking for any signs of discoloration particularly around the legs of chips and capacitors. Sometimes you will see a small crack in a chip where the internal circuit has shorted and cause the case to split.

Sniff the circuit board (yes, get your nose in there) around any capacitors. If they have blown they give off a distinct very strong smell, I don't need to describe it because you will know it if it's there.

Then look for signs of corrosion around the metal legs of components, white powdery residue is a good sign of where unwelcome moisture has been.

If the board is not too heavily populated with surface components, hold it over a bright light and look through the circuit board itself. If it's a multi-layer board, there will be tracks running through the sandwiched layers of the board. These won't have come into contact with the moisture, but those tracks tend to be thinner than the surface tracks and if a short elsewhere has caused more current than usual to run through them, then it could be those buried tracks that burn out. You will see dark patches around the damaged areas.

If you manage to identify any of the above, then that's the best place to start your investigation into the components. Larger surface mount components can be easily replaced, some chips can be easily bought (particularly generic ones used in power circuits), but once you get down to the smaller components, then you will find it harder to fix them.

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Repairability

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Speak out for your right to repair.

New York,

New Yorkers stand up for what they believe in. And we're asking you to
stand up for repair.

This year, New York could be the first state in the nation to pass the Fair Repair Act,
A8192 and
S618.
We have a chance to guarantee our right to repair electronic
equipment—like smartphones, computers, and even farm equipment. We have a
chance to protect local repair jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that
keep getting squeezed out by manufacturers.

It’s not going to be easy. Manufacturers are standing in the
way. When your stuff breaks, they want to be the only people allowed to fix it.
So far, they’ve managed to stop Fair Repair legislation before your
representatives get a chance to vote on it. We’ve got to be louder than their
lobbyists.

The Fair Repair Act, known as
A8192 and
S618,
requires manufacturers to provide owners
and independent repair businesses with fair access to service information,
security updates, and replacement parts. Tell your state representative to
support S618. Tell them you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for your right to repair.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair.

Massachusetts,

The people of Massachusetts have always stood up for their
right to repair. In 2012, voters passed a law that ensured
residents' right to repair their car wherever they wanted.
Now, it's time to do the same for electronics and other equipment.

With the Digital Right to Repair Act,
H.143
and S.96,
we have a chance to guarantee our right to repair electronics—like
smartphones, computers, and even farm equipment. The Digital Right to
Repair Act requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
information businesses with fair access to service information, security
updates, and replacement parts.

But we need your help. Big manufacturers don't want this
bill passed. And they're working hard to defeat it.

If you think you have a right to repair your products, find out who
represents you in the Massachusetts legislature. Tell them repair is good
for the environment, good for consumers, and good for business. Tell
them you support the Digital Right to Repair Act, S.96 and H.143.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair.

Nebraska,

This year, the people of Nebraska have a chance to guarantee
their right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment,
digital equipment, and even cell phones.

It’s yours. You own it. You shouldn’t have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. The Fair Repair Act, or LB 67,
is simple. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair businesses with fair access to service information and replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get back on with your
life.

But manufacturers don’t like that idea. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want
for parts and service.

It’s time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair jobs—the
corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed out. Find
out who represents you in the Nebraska state legislature. Tell them you support
the bipartisan Fair Repair Act, LB 67. Tell them that you believe repair
should be fair, affordable, and accessible. Stand up for the right to repair
in Nebraska.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Minnesotans,

Minnesota has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. SF 15, or the Fair Repair bill, guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Minnesota's legislatures. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan Fair Repair bill, SF 15. Tell them repair is good for the
environment, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Kansans,

Kansas has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. HB 2122, or the Fair Repair Act, guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Kansas' legislature. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan bill. Tell them repair is good for farmers, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Wyomingites,

Wyoming has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. HB 199, or the Fair Repair Act, guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Wyoming's legislature. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan bill. Tell them repair is good for farmers, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Washingtonians,

Washington has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. The Fair Repair Act guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Washington's legislature. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan bill. Tell them repair is good for farmers, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Tennessee,

This year, the people of Tennessee have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. The Fair Repair Act is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed out.
Find out who represents you in the Tennessee General Assembly. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, SB 888 in the Senate
and HB 1382 in the
House. Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Tennessee.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Illinois,

This year, the people of Illinois have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. The Digital Fair Repair Act is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the Illinois General Assembly. Tell
them you support the Digital Fair Repair Act, HB3030.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Illinois.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Iowa,

This year, the people of Iowa have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. Iowa's Right to Repair Act, HF556, is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the Iowa legislature. Tell
them you support the Right to Repair Act, HF556.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Iowa.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

North Carolina,

This year, the people of North Carolina have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. North Carolina's Fair Repair Act, H. 663, is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, H. 663.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in North Carolina.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Missouri,

This year, the people of Missouri have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. Missouri's Fair Repair Act, HB1178, is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the Missouri legislature. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, HB1178.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Missouri.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

New Hampshire,

This year, the people of New Hampshire have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. New Hampshire's upcoming Right to Repair Act is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the New Hampshire legislature. Tell
them you support the Right to Repair Act.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in New Hampshire.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

New Jersey,

This year, the people of New Jersey have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. New Jersey's upcoming Fair Repair Act, A4934 is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the New Jersey legislature. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, A4934.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in New Jersey.